California Wildfire Mitigation Program

The California Wildfire Mitigation Program (CWMP) was established as part of the State of California’s effort to strengthen community-wide resilience to wildfire. The Program provides financial assistance for comprehensive wildfire mitigation activities, including home hardening, defensible space, and vegetation management, to vulnerable populations in wildfire-prone areas throughout California.

Assembly Bill 38 directed the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) and the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) to enter into a Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement (JEPA) to oversee the development and implementation of the Program in accordance with the California Wildfire Mitigation Program Business Plan. Pursuant to the JEPA, the California Wildfire Mitigation Program Authority (CWMPA) was established as a separate legal entity and Joint Powers Authority (JPA). The CWMPA is governed by a Board of Directors composed of representatives from its member agencies. The CWMPA is registered with the California Secretary of State and classified by the California State Controller’s Office as a special district. The CWMPA provides the governmental and organizational structure for the administration and oversight of the Program. In 2026, pursuant to Assembly Bill 1531, the California Department of Insurance (CDI) was added as a member of the CWMPA.